Insights and Stories on Beef Cattle

Klassen: Light test of feeder cattle reflects hot demand

Aug. 2, 2022 at 9:25 am CDT

Compared to last week, Western Canadian yearling prices were relatively unchanged; prices for mid-weight calves were $2 to $5 higher. Calves under 550 pounds were up $6 to $8 on average while feather light bawlers were up a sold $10 above week-ago levels. Weaker feed grain prices along with strength […]

closeup of a cow with horns, blue sky and trees in the background

U.S. livestock: Live cattle, feeder cattle futures rise; lean hogs end lower

Aug. 1, 2022 at 5:00 pm CDT

By Julie Ingwersen

U.S. livestock: Live cattle firms on firm beef demand; cash market lifts hogs

Jul. 29, 2022 at 4:50 pm CDT

By Christopher Walljasper

U.S. livestock: Hog futures gain as cash index climbs

Jul. 27, 2022 at 4:57 pm CDT

By Christopher Walljasper

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures ease as ranchers push forward marketing amid drought

Jul. 26, 2022 at 5:31 pm CDT

Klassen: Feeder market experiences calm before upcoming storm

Jul. 26, 2022 at 7:00 am CDT

Compared to last week, western Canadian feeder cattle markets traded $2-$4 on either side of unchanged. Once again, overall volumes were limited, with small strings and singles moving through auction barns. The quality was quite variable and offbeat stragglers were quite common. Buyers incorporate a risk discount on these cattle; […]

By Jerry Klassen

U.S. livestock: Gains in cattle futures limited by smaller cattle on feed placements

Jul. 25, 2022 at 4:28 pm CDT

Chicago | Reuters – Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures firmed on Monday as drought conditions across the U.S. Southern Plains continue to degrade grazing land, though gains were limited by smaller-than-expected declines in feedlot placements, analysts said. Ranchers have been pushing cattle into feedlots at higher rates as parched […]

By Christopher Walljasper

Klassen: Tighter fundamentals support feeder complex

Jul. 19, 2022 at 3:08 pm CDT

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices were steady to $2 higher on average while calf markets were up $2-$4. There was an increase in activity over the past week, although many auction barns remain in holiday mode. Major feedlot operators in southern Alberta were extremely aggressive on yearlings […]

By Jerry Klassen

Klassen: Feeder cattle market adjusts for lower barley prices

Jul. 12, 2022 at 3:17 am CDT

Compared to last week, western Canadian yearling prices climbed $2-$4 on average. Calf markets were unchanged. For the second week in a row, the market was hard to define due to limited numbers on offer. Small packages under five head and single stragglers were common. Larger groups of green thin […]

By Jerry Klassen

JBS to automate beef warehousing at Brooks

Jul. 9, 2022 at 1:45 pm CDT

International meat packer JBS has enlisted a major robotics and automation company to overhaul the warehousing system at one of Canada’s biggest beef plants. JBS Foods Canada on Friday announced a $71 million project in partnership with New Zealand-based Scott Technology, to design and build a system that can handle […]

By Dave Bedard